Oakland, Calif., March 12, 2012 —The Port of Oakland last week donated a gently-used emergency response vehicle to Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) at a ceremony held at Oakland International Airport’s (OAK) Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility. The 1,500 gallon rig has been a part of OAK’s emergency rescue and response fleet since 1994. It will be placed into service at Hayward Airport when training on the equipment is completed within the next 30 days.

Hayward Executive Airport, located in the city of Hayward, Calif., and 10 miles south of OAK, is a general aviation reliever airport primarily serving single- and twin-engine aircraft, corporate jets and helicopters. At the transfer ceremony held on March 9, 2012, city of Hayward Council Members Olden Henson and Barbara Halliday, and Airport Manager Douglas McNeeley gratefully accepted the donated ARFF vehicle. “This ARFF vehicle will enhance our response to airport incidents and accidents,” McNeeley said. “We thank the Port of Oakland leadership for their kind support.”

“The donation of Oakland International Airport’s former Rescue 5 to Hayward Executive Airport is a winning arrangement for both of our organizations,” said Deborah Ale Flint, Director of Aviation for the Port of Oakland which owns and operates OAK. “This is an excellent example of regional inter-agency cooperation and governments focused on fiscal prudence. This vehicle has been an important part of OAK’s emergency response program since the 1990’s, and we know that it will be a true asset to Hayward’s general aviation airport for many years to come.”

OAK is certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration under FAR Part 139 guidelines. The 1994 Osh Kosh vehicle no longer meets FAA guidelines for commercial service airports such as OAK, however, can be used at general aviation airports as is the case for HWD.

OAK dedicated two new 1,500 gallon ARFF units in October 2011, and will acquire a new 3,000 gallon rig by summer 2012. They are in addition to two 3,000 gallon rescue vehicles that comprise a fully provisioned fleet for OAK’s ARFF program. The City of Oakland Fire Department has provided ARFF services to OAK since the late-1990s.

ARFF is a special category of firefighting that involves the response, hazard mitigation, evacuation and possible rescue of passengers and crew of an aircraft involved in an airport ground emergency.

About Hayward Executive Airport, Calif., USA: Originally constructed as a WWII fighter base, Hayward Executive Airport is a busy General Aviation Reliever Airport that plays a vital role in today’s air transportation system. By providing a place for small general aviation aircraft, the airport enhances safety and capacity at the Bay Area’s three large commercial airports. The airport recorded over 89,000 takeoffs and landings in 2011 and provided a host of community services such as emergency medical and law enforcement flights. Hayward Executive Airport operates as an Enterprise Fund and is financially self-sufficient while contributing $300 million in annual economic benefits to the region. Connect with Hayward Executive Airport through Facebook and at haywardairport.org.

About the Port of Oakland, Calif., USA: The Port of Oakland includes the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 70,000 jobs in the region and over 800,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and at portofoakland.com.